The Seattle Mariners will be looking behind the eight-ball to salvage their six-game road trip.

The Mariners dropped two-of-three in a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and fell to 41-41 on the season in the process.

Despite the series loss and falling back to .500, Seattle still sits atop the American League West. Entering Friday, the Mariners have a 1.5-game lead in the division over the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Athletics.

In order for Seattle to salvage the road trip, it will have to take a series against the Cleveland Guardians. The two teams split a four-game series in Seattle earlier this year.

Here's the pitching matchups for the series between the Mariners and the Guardians:

Luis Castillo will get the first nod for Seattle in the weekend series. It will be Castillo's first true start since June 13 after pitching the second half of a game against the Boston Red Sox on June 19 as part of a piggyback with Bryce Miller.

Castillo struck out four batters and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in four innings pitched.

Joey Cantillo will get the nod for Cleveland coming off his best outing of the season. He fanned nine, walked one and allowed one earned run on four hits in eight innings pitched against the Astros on June 20.

This will be Cantillo's second outing of the season against the Mariners. He struck out five, walked three and allowed two earned runs on four hits in 3.2 innings of work March 28.

The Mariners struggles against left-handers are well-documented, and Cantillo is a lefty, which will play into the storyline.

Logan Gilbert will get the start for game two of the series against the Guardians. He will start the game and be piggybacked by Emerson Hancock.

Gilbert fanned eight, walked two and allowed one earned run on three hits (one home run) in 6.1 innings pitched against the Red Sox on June 21.

This is also Gilbert's second outing of the season against Cleveland. He struck out seven and allowed three earned runs on five hits (one home run) in 5.1 innings pitched on Opening Day on March 26.

Hancock will enter his first piggyback outing of the season. He put away six, walked two and allowed five earned runs on four hits (one homer) on 5.1 innings against Boston on June 20.

Hancock also previously pitched against the Guardians this season March 29. He struck out nine, walked one, hit a batter and didn't allow a hit or a run in six innings of work.

Slade Cecconi is coming off a quality start against Houston on June 21. He fanned one, walked three (one intentionally) and allowed two earned runs on six hits (one home run) in six innings pitched.

Cecconi pitched against Seattle on March 29. He struck out five, walked three, hit two and allowed six earned runs on as many hits (one homer) in 4.1 innings pitched.

George Kirby will close out the series coming off a quality start against the Pirates on Tuesday. He fanned five, walked two and allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits in six innings pitched.

In his previous outing against the Guardians on March 27, Kirby struck out six, walked two, hit a batter and allowed one earned run on two hits (one homer) in six innings of work March 27.

Gavin Williams is coming off an outing where he struck out eight, walked one and allowed two earned runs on five hits in five innings pitched against the Chicago White Sox on June 22.

In Williams' prior outing against the M's on March 27, he fanned seven and allowed three earned runs on two hits (one home run) in five innings pitched.

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